submitted by Kevin O’Malley
The Town of Hoosick is gearing up for the 20th annual Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Parade and Irish Festival on March 12. This year the parade will feature marching bands including Capitol Brass Drum Corps, Excelsior Drum Corps, Fyfes and Drums of Olde Saratoga, Galloway Gaelic Pipes and Drums, the Hoosick Falls High School Band and the Taconic Pipe Band. The parade, which will begin at 1 pm, will also feature floats, antique cars and marchers.
The Irish festival will be held directly after the parade. The New York State Armory will feature the Who’s Your Patty Band, Irish step dancers, bagpipers, food and drink.
The Immaculate Conception Church basement will be the Home of the Irish Stew Cook-off, music from the Brewsters, Brennan McGuire and the Irish Dancers and kids activities.
Local pubs and clubs will also feature food and entertainment. The Back Street Saloon will feature a DJ. The Eagles Club will have the James Patrick Murphy Band, the Fire House Restaurant has Diz, St. Stanislaw has the Original Express and the Sand Bar will host the popular Celtic Games and the band Squash.
The event will also feature the Safe-Rides-Home Program sponsored by Rensselaer County STOP-DWI.
There is still time to enter a band, car, marchers or floats. Contact Kevin O’Malley at 518-686-9460, hoosickkid@gmail.com, or Marie O’Neil at 518-686-4829.
